High-performance liquid chromatography using a color-forming agent as a mobile phase component. Separation of alkaline-earth-metal cations with arsenazo III and a non-porous gel column

Summary A liquid chromatographic procedure for separating alkaline-earth-metal cations with a non-porous gel column has been developed. Arsenazo III, which is one of the sensitive and commercially available color-forming agents, was used as a component of the mobile phase. Magnesium and calcium could be separated on the nonporous gel column within 55 seconds. The procedure was suitable for the separation of alkaline-earth-metal cations in relatively pure solutions with high sensitivity. Because of its rapidity the described procedure is also potentially applicable for any aqueous sample.